Agreement Reached between the FBI and a class of African-American Special Agents

Washington, D.C.
April 30, 2001

FBI National Press Office(202) 324-3691

Today, the District Court for the District of Columbia approved a mediated settlement agreement between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and a class of African- American Special Agents which reaffirms the FBI's commitment to reform of key aspects of its personnel system.

In 1993, the District Court approved a settlement agreement ("Agreement") between the FBI and the class. In the Agreement, the FBI undertook to make numerous changes to its personnel system. When the Agreement expired on October 14, 1998, the FBI had completed the vast majority of its obligations. However, there remained some work to be done. The parties subsequently entered into negotiations and on May 17, 2000, the Court approved an amendment ("Amendment") to the original Agreement that extended the time frames for completion of those obligations yet to be completed. Because the class asserted that the FBI breached the time frames for the original Agreement, the FBI agreed to enter into mediation in order to resolve the remaining differences. The Mediation Settlement Agreement approved by the District Court today is a result of these efforts.

Director Freeh and the FBI remain committed to the obligations undertaken pursuant to the Agreement, the Amendment, and the Mediation Settlement Agreement, and will continue to vigorously work to complete those few remaining obligations in a timely manner.